Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Germany Bans Pork?

An increasing number of public schools, canteens, cafes and daycare centers in Germany have banned pork from their menus over fears of offending Muslim immigrants. Many establishments are no longer serving bacon, ham and even sausages (this is Germany!) because of religious considerations. (My particular religion demands that I drink 12 bottles of Labatt Blue a day, but I don't expect them to accommodate me in Riyadh or Kabul). Moreover, in the past several months, several churches in Germany have removed their crosses so as not to "offend" their Islamic "guests." This is slightly different treatment than Christians have been afforded in Islamic nations of late. Not only have Muslims in their homelands not gone out of their way to provide alcohol to Westerners, they haven't even considered removing symbols of- and references to- Islam. Can you believe it?Oh, and they've killed hundreds upon hundreds of Christians, many by beheading.

Now that wienerschnitzel ist verboten, what's next? Will Germany soon ban beer sales in deference to Muslim sensibilities? If so, Oktoberfest might be a little less joyous this year.It seems gemütlichkeit may soon be a thing of the past. Figuratively speaking, Germany itself may not be far behind.

Daily Trivia Quiz Answer

Today's Answer: Andrew Jackson. ("Poll" got so worked up before the service he apparently had to be removed from the premises, as he was cussing long and loud).

Q) What words appear on the front of the penny, nickel, dime and quarter, alongside the likeness of presidents?

A) "Liberty" and "In God We Trust"

An Ode To Life

Appreciate all you have, as it- and you- will soon be gone. Leave no heartfelt words unspoken, no sweet gesture incomplete, no act of love undone. Love your spouse with passion and abandon, your kids with patience and understanding but also a firm guidance. Love also the truth, no matter how hard. If pursued by enough people with enough courage, it really will set us free.

And don't forget, we didn't ask to be born. We didn't create ourselves. We are not gods. There is a higher power.

Fireworks of the Mind

Write It Up

Whence Shall Come Another?

True Then, True Now

"If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you will not fight when your victory is sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves."- Winston Churchill

Time Well Wasted

The power lies within your hands To do with what you may But the hourglass is filled with sands Of endless yesterdays